LARNED — Residents and elected officials of Pawnee County capped off their week long observance of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Pawnee County Courthouse Friday evening with a car show, a community meal, and a time capsule burying ceremony.

“We were very pleased with the turnout, and the event went well,”Pawnee County Commissioner Debra Lewis told the Tribune. A large group attended the community meal, a hamburger and hotdog feed sponsored by the county, with plenty of lively conversation. 

“I really have enjoyed preparing for this event over the past few months,” she said. “For several years, I have worked at the courthouse, so I thought I already knew so much, but I’ve learned so much along the way.”

The time capsule burying ceremony began at 7:30 p.m., with community members gathering at the newly prepared spot at the southeast section of the courthouse lawn. Earlier in the week, the public was encouraged to bring items to include in the capsule which was constructed by Joshua Riedel, a City of Larned lineman and firefighter. Commissioners made the final decision of what to include, and the capsule was packed to the rim with all sorts of papers, writing, trinkets and tokens of the past and present. Lewis and fellow commissioners Bob Rein and Philip Hammeke , shovels in hand, began to burry the capsule, then invited members of the community to take their turn. 

Plans to present a movie on the courthouse lawn following the event were altered due to wind. Instead, the public was invited to watch the film at the State Theater a block away.